Man jailed for bank holiday town centre attack on visitor

Holidaymakers on a busy bank holiday in Scarborough were left shocked and shielding their children from seeing an unconscious man being repeatedly kicked and punched in the town centre.

York Crown Court was told on Monday how mothers with their young children, and elderly people who tried to shout at the attacker to stop after seeing him kicking his victim “like a footballer taking a penalty”, were met with abuse.

Fortunately the 44-year-old victim, who himself was visiting the town with friends, escaped with only bruising.

He also suffered a bump to the back of his head and cuts to the inside of his mouth.

Before the court, after previously having admitted causing actual bodily harm, was 27-year-old David Laws, of Leeds.

He further appeared for sentencing on one charge each of using threatening behaviour towards the witnesses and to possessing a small amount of cocaine.

Helen Wheatley, prosecuting, told how the incident happened on June 9, last year, after the victims and his friends left a pub in the town after trouble started.

They came into contact with Laws and his friends who were also leaving for the same reason.

A verbal exchange then started which led to Laws punching out twice and sending his victim crashing to the ground unconscious.

Laws then delivered further punches and several kicks to the prone man’s head and body.

Following his arrest nearby, Laws was found in possession of £30 worth of cocaine.

He later told the police that he had taken some of the Class “A” substance and had drunk up to nine pints of alcohol.

Laws, who was said to be “disgusted” with himself and “remorseful”, was also said to have acted out of character.

The court heard he had no convictions for violence on his criminal record.

Passing sentence, Judge Shaun Spencer QC said that Laws actions had caused “considerable disturbance and upset” to holidaymakers in the town.

As a result of the incident Laws was jailed by Judge Spencer for four months.